In addition to the famous impacts of atmospheric carbon on global warming, there is an equally worrisome effect of carbon dioxide on the oceans: ocean acidification (or OA for short). Here at I2SEA we have a series of resources about OA, including Our Acidifying Ocean, which is an introductory activity and virtual lab (note: now mobile compatible!).
A student suggested that we start a conversation topic about OA, and here it is! Have you heard about Ocean Acidification? If so, are you worried about it? How do you think we can best raise awareness about it among your fellow students and the general public? Have you seen particularly good links or films about OA that you would like to share? What are you doing to address the problem?
Ocean Acidification >
Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is a serious threat to the planet. The carbon dioxide in the air is absorbed into the water by the wind, then distributed around the ocean by the currents. This increase in carbon dioxide in the ocean increases the pH level. The pH scale measures the acidity in liquids. It runs from 0 to 14, and is a logarithmic scale, meaning that even if it drops only .1, the water has become 30% more acidic. The ocean originally had a pH of about 8.2 near the surface. If the ocean keeps absorbing carbon dioxide at this rate, then by the year 2100, the pH will decrease to 7.8. Research from an area in Castello Aragonese could show how our oceans will look by the end of the century. The ocean in this area has a pH level of 7.8, and a third of the species the live nearby are missing in these waters. The marine life had generations to adapt, yet they still are far from being able to survive these conditions.
The acidification of the ocean is probably irreversible. In theory, adding chemicals that counteract the acidification process could return the ocean’s pH level, b ut this would not work for the ocean. Two tons of lime are required to counteract one ton of carbon dioxide. Dumping this much lime into the ocean is probably unsafe for land life because of the increase in ocean volume. Also, since the world is creating 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide, it would be very difficult to regulate the acidity and safety of the ocean. The natural processes of countering acidification, like the weathering of rocks, take far too long to make any large change. It could take thousands of years for the ocean to return to its original condition.
source: The Acid Sea by Elizabeth Kolbert
Date Posted:9/28/17